AVEVA is making strides in creating more eco-friendly events globaly. AVEVA World is prioritizing sustainability while planning the conference to reduce the impact on the environment and climate. However, a conference of this size always affects the environment due to the amount of people participating. Read on to learn about some of the strategies we've employed to reduce the negative impact on the environment and be socially responsible.
San Francisco has high expectations and strict requirements for large events to keep them as green as possible. Nationally, the Moscone Center is a model of sustainability in a convention center setting. Our goal is to significantly reduce each event's waste stream through collection and sorting of recyclables, compostables and donations.
Public areas must provide Compost, Recycling and Trash collection: San Francisco requires all large venues to provide color coded zero waste collection stations to separately collect recyclables, compostables and trash. Moscone Center offers attendees zero waste stations located by all public restrooms, escalators and in all corridors and lobbies.
Waste materials must remain separated: San Francisco’s Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance requires properly separating recyclables and compostables using a color-coded system to divert them from the local landfill. See Sorting On-Site.
Certified Compostable Serveware required: San Francisco requires the use of certified compostable serveware in all food takeaway food service. Styrofoam cups, sleeves, or single use disposable plastic serveware are not permitted. Caterer SAVOR uses only compostable serveware.
Polystyrene in Exhibit programs may not be disposed: San Francisco bans polystyrene foam / Styrofoam materials from being disposed in the building. All polystyrene materials brought into the building must be packed out.
Single-use disposable plastic bags may not be distributed at meetings or in bookstores: San Francisco's Plastic Bag "Checkout Bag" Reduction Ordinance prohibits the distribution of any single-use plastic bags to reduce litter, waste, and contamination in recycling and composting programs. Adherence will improve water quality in the San Francisco Bay and oceans by reducing pollution. See SF list of Checkout Bag Requirements and vendors.
San Francisco's Food Service Waste Reduction Ordinance prohibits vendors from using Styrofoam or other polystyrene foam food serveware: Accordingly, SAVOR uses only certified compostable serveware. All serveware, including looks-like-plastic containers are certified compostable and should be disposed of in the greens bins. Ensure any food service ware your exhibitors purchase is certified compostable. See SF Approved list of Food Serveware Vendors.
Moscone Center has been an industry leader in the area of Sustainable practices, and has continued this position of leadership with the Moscone Center expansion completed in 2019. The new Moscone Center North & South complex received the US Green Building Council's highest level of certification, LEED Platinum, and is the first Convention Center in the Nation to achieve such level of environmental sustainability.
Moscone Center has the lowest carbon footprint per delegate of any major convention center in North America. It also has the largest rooftop solar panel array in San Francisco, which will provide the center with approximately 20 percent of its power. In addition, 15 million gallons of water will be recovered annually for reuse in landscaping, street cleaning and toilet flushing, and recycling and composting take place facility-wide at “zero waste stations” located in all public spaces.
Scoring highlights
Moscone North & South scored a 10 out of 10 points for water efficiency on its LEED certification. The maximum possible number of points were awarded for innovative wastewater technologies, water use reduction and water efficient landscaping. The North & South convention complex also got top marks for its solar power system, scoring a 7 out of 7 for on-site renewable energy.
Moscone North, South and West are all supplied by 100% greenhouse gas-free electricity from San Francisco's Public Utilities Commission-managed Hetch Hetchy hydroelectric plant located in the Sierra mountains, east of San Francisco. This captured 2 out of 2 points for green power.
The Moscone Center has long set the standard for U.S. Convention Centers in diverting material from the waste stream. Beginning in 1998 with diversion of high volume materials from the exhibit floor and lobby areas, the program today targets materials from all areas and sources. Nearly 2 million pounds is diverted annually, with nearly 20% of that total redirected as donations to local area non-profits.
The newest and most ambitious phase is a food composting program that captures all organic material from food service operations. While a kitchen-based program has been in place for some time, this newest phase includes capturing all food material as well as compostable serveware and utensils from all concession and catering locations throughout Moscone North, South, and West.
If you have any questions or suggestions about sustainability at AVEVA World in San Francisco, email us at events@aveva.com.